It's a dreary day at Jerdan Weyr. Rain is pouring down thicker than Thread. You run into the Lower Caverns to get out of the inclement weather. You walk up to the afternoon hearth and fix yourself a cup of klah. You walk toward a table at the back of the cavern, so you can keep an eye on the weather. Just as you are getting comfortable, a young woman in full riding gear walks in. She is dressed all in green wherhide. She throws her helmet down on the table and gets herself a mug of klah and some stew. You recognize her as your friend Arianne rider of Green Cadath. She comes to sit down next to you. There is something odd about her, but you can't quite put your finger on it. You shrug the anomaly aside and decide to inquire about Cadath.

"She's just fine," Arianne snaps with more anger than you knew she could posess. "And how are you," she retorts with just as much vehemence. She strips off the weyrhide jacket and tosses it beside the helmet.

You tell her that you are fine accept for the weather. That nagging feeling comes back. Now you realize what is wrong. Arianne is really tense and on edge. The usually easy going rider almost took off your head for asking about the health of her dragon. The rest of the puzzle begins to fall into place. Cadath is an adult dragon now. She just fully matured. The green must be proddy and her mood must be affecting your friend.

Suddenly Arianne is weeping into her klah. Her tears are as big as the raindrops outside. You turn away not wanting to shame the greenrider. "I am so sorry my friend. I shouldn't have snapped at you. It's just that Cadath is about to rise, and I am so scared. They don't tell you much in weyrling classes about flights."

You nod at the girl deeply sympathizing with her concerns. You wonder what it could be like to be subject to your dragon's will on such an important matter. You look at the girl. She has her head hung and is still weeping. Her long brown braid has been cut and the now shoulder length hair hangs over her face. You reach your arm around her. She turns her face into your shoulder and cries even harder. Cadath sensing her rider's distress bugles in alarm and flies down to the entrance to the Lower Caverns. It has stopped raining, and Arianne runs out to her dragon throwing her arms around the emerald neck.

"No, Cadath. You didn't do anything. You are just following your natural life cycle, but I am so confused," she says quietly. You watch the interlude carefully admiring that bond between dragon and rider that sets them apart from normal men. Then Arianne turns back to you. Her face is blotchy from the crying.

" I am sorry that you had to see me like this, but thank you so much for being there for me. You are a great friend. I feel much better now. Cadath always knows what to say to make me feel better," she says with a grin. Her hazel eyes are showing green today. In fact they are as green as her dragon's hide.

"It was no problem," you say. You are very glad that she is back to herself. This is the Arianne that you are used to. You motion for her to come back into the Lower Caverns. The air is chilly after the spring rain. She follows your suggestion and sit back down at the table. You seeing that her klah is ruined go and fix her and yourself a new glass.

"Thank you," she says taking the steaming mug from your hands. "Now about your earlier question. As you can see Cadath has become a beautiful adult dragon. I have noticed some of the blues and browns looking at her funny," she says going a bright shade of red.

Seeing that she is now getting more relaxed and more easy concerning the subject, you decide to ask a few gentle questions. "And do you like any of the blue or brown riders," you ask with a slight grin.

Arianne's face goes a deeper shade of red. That seems to answer your question. She did have someone in mind to fly her dragon, or should you say to be her weyrmate. "Yeah, there is this one rider. He is really handsome. I am not sure what his name is though. Cadath likes his dragon, too."

You look at your friend again wondering where all the time has gone. It seems just like a few weeks ago that she Impressed Cadath. Now she was a woman and Cadath was a full dragon. Arianne looks kind of tired, so you decide to say good-bye. Offering one last comforting remark. "Arianne, please don't worry. It's bad for you and your dragon. If you have anymore concerns, I would talk to Weyrwoman Carah or even Lorin."

"You are the greatest," she says with a huge smile. "Thank you so much. I'll try not to worry anymore."

You give her a parting hug and walk out of the Lower Caverns. Cadath has long since returned to the weyr. The sun is shining brightly now and should make for a nice trip home.

Name: Arianne

Age: 17 Turns

Dragon:Green Cadath

Age: Adult

Birthplace:Jerdan Weyr

Sire: Brown Oketh

Dam:Green Cardath

Sibs: Many

This background was provided by Angelfire, and thanks to www.themesplus.com for the tree pic. Arianne's full portrait came from Sunshiney Cyber Adoptions The cool title was made for me by my friend, Lindsey. Thanks. :)

Jerdan Weyr
Arianne's Candidate Story
The Hatchling Story
The Weyrling Story
Another of Lindsey's Weyrs